Young Man Sets Guinness World Record for Pokémon Collection
On July 3rd, the Guinness World Records officially recognized the impressive achievement of Zeng Zhuodi, a young man born in 1993 from Hong Kong. This Pokémon enthusiast has set a record for the largest collection of official Gengar merchandise, totaling 1,200 items featuring the iconic Pokémon character known for its ghostly appearance and beloved by fans worldwide.
Zeng shared that his first encounter with Gengar was when he bought a Pokémon toy capsule as a child. Since that moment, Gengar has become his “spiritual totem.” From toys, bedding, clothing, to even furniture and tableware, as long as it features Gengar and is an official product, Zeng has made sure to add it to his collection.
The journey to amass such a vast collection has not been easy, as Zeng has faced numerous challenges along the way. After securing funding, he often had to trade with friends and fellow collectors. Despite a budget increase, rather than focusing solely on obtaining more items, Zeng strategically sought out rare products, sometimes even collaborating with the community to purchase limited edition merchandise for swapping.
1,200 Items and the Journey to Guinness Recognition
Although the process of collecting took 22 years, Zeng mentioned that the most challenging part was not just gathering the items but also preparing to submit them to Guinness. He had to photograph, describe, and detail each item in his collection meticulously. “Many Gengar items look quite similar, so I had to write detailed descriptions to help others distinguish them by appearance,” he explained. This process took a toll on him, requiring several late nights to complete the list just right for Guinness’s requirements.
Zeng’s collection signifies more than just possession; it represents care, maintenance, and emotional investment in his items. “If you’re not careful, some items might ‘expire’ – like food, clothing, or even toys,” he noted. That’s why each Gengar item in his collection has been meticulously preserved.
Alongside Zeng Zhuodi, Guinness has also recognized several unique records from collectors in mainland China. In 2020, Gao Ke earned the title for the “Largest Collection of Teddy Bears” with 1,008 bears. In 2024, Yang Tao confirmed a record with 7,096 Hello Kitty items, a feat that left many fans in awe.
Source: Sohu
